Pacific Island Fisheries Professional (Fish Biology)

• Noumea-based position
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, proudly supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are renowned for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

SPC Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division is composed of three programmes: the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (CFAP); the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP); and the Marine Ecosystems Programme (MEP). The Director’s Office provides implementation support and strategic direction across the programmes and cross-cutting projects. Working with all 22 PICTs, SPC FAME has strong partnerships with regional, sub-regional and national entities working in the marine sector. SPC FAME staff are based in New Caledonia, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Tonga, with most of the 165 plus staff being based in New Caledonia.

The role – The Pacific Island Fisheries Professional (Fish Biology) will undertake a programme of work that contributes to advancing the understanding of fish biology for climate change and stock assessment modelling and make a material contribution to the work of the OFP while developing skills and knowledge regarding the subject area in which the work is being undertaken.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

SPC FAME research Facilities

• Assist with activities in the FAME Genomics, Fish Ageing, Taxonomy and Pacific Marine Specimen Bank
• Assist with organisation of biological data collection from fisheries across the Pacific Basin
• Contribute to database curation

 Capacity development

• Improve/develop R skills to enhance data flows for efficiency and reproducibility
• Contribute to WCPFC Scientific Committee papers

Knowledge Transfer

• Assist with trainings for SPC members (Climate Awareness Workshops, Tuna Research and Applications Workshops)
• Assist with development of information and knowledge transfer material

Other duties

• Develop a work program to meet personal interests, within the scope of the work of SPC FAME
• Assist the other work areas of SPC FAME

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Pacific Islands

• Only applicants from Pacific Island countries are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must be employed in a Pacific Island fisheries or conservation / environment department or a recognised NGO working in the field of fisheries science, management or monitoring in a Pacific Island country.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree in science, with an emphasis on fisheries, marine science, or equivalent body of knowledge and experience

Technical expertise

• At least two years of experience working in fisheries in a Pacific Island Fisheries administration or equivalent agency

 Language skills

• Good communication skills in English.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

 Requirements: Only applicants who are nationals and residents of Pacific Island countries are eligible to apply. Applicants must be employed in or contracted by a Pacific Island fisheries or conservation / environment agency, or a recognized NGO working in the field of fisheries science, management or monitoring in a Pacific Island country.

Letter of endorsement – A signed letter from the employer, stating they agree to release the applicant for the attachment and that the position will be held for the applicant to return to at the end of the attachment with SPC must be provided before an appointment can be finalized.

Contract duration – This appointment will last for a duration of 364 days and will not be renewable.

Remuneration – The Pacific Island Fisheries Professional (Fish Biology) is a Band 8 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a salary of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,038 per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 444,062 (USD 4,041; EUR 3,721). SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Noumea – SPC provides housing support in Noumea and an establishment grant, return airfare, and will reimburse excess accompanied luggage of up to two additional bags. Employees are entitled to: 25 days annual leave and 30 days sick leave per annum; medical and life insurance; and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

We encourage all eligible candidates to apply but please note that as this is a special short-term contract, the full list of benefits included in other international contract types are not available. Appointees may bring their families, but all extra costs for travel, insurance, education, housing and other additional expenses will be their own responsibility. 

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilinguism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Application procedure

Closing date: 19 October 2025 – 11:00 pm Noumea Time

Job Reference: CR000491

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference.

Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

Screening questions (maximum of 2.000 characters per question):

1. Please describe how a 1-year placement with SPC FAME to build your capacity in fish biology will help you when you return to your substantive position within your home organisation?
2. The placement will build capacity in fish ageing, taxonomy, genetics and sample collection and curation. What fish biology skills do you already have and what skills would you most like to improve?
3. What role do fisheries observers and national fisheries officers and technicians have in supporting studies in fish biology?